Thea Hennessey is a former chief of staff to the founder of the Family First Party, Ps Andrew Evans, and an Upper House candidate with the Liberal Party in the upcoming S.A. state election. Her observations of changing church engagement with government and politics are seasoned and sobering.
Australia is at a crossroads. The freedoms we’ve long taken for granted—speech, conscience, religion, and even parental rights—are under siege. In the latest episode of the Church and State Show, Dave Pellowe sits down with South Australian Liberal candidate Thea Hennessy to unpack the urgent need for Christians to re-engage with the public square. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about obedience to God’s command to be salt and light in a culture increasingly hostile to truth.
The episode opens with a powerful reminder: personal faith in Jesus is not only vital for individual wellbeing, but also for the health of our nation. Thea and Dave explore the biblical mandate to disciple nations, not just individuals, and how that translates into political engagement. They reject the caricatures of “Christian nationalism” and “dominion theology,” instead affirming the Great Commission as the foundation for civic responsibility. Christians are called to illuminate darkness and resist evil—not retreat into silence.
Thea reflects on her time working with Pastor Andrew Evans, a spiritual and political pioneer who exemplified grace, truth, and courage. Evans’ legacy is one of respectful boldness, mobilising churches to speak out against unjust legislation and equipping believers to influence society. His strategy was simple yet profound: educate the church, empower the people, and engage the political process. His example is a blueprint for today’s believers.
The conversation turns to the current political climate in South Australia, where legislation like the anti-conversion bill threatens religious freedom and parental rights. Thea exposes the bill’s hypocrisy—criminalising biblical counsel while exempting gender transition procedures from scrutiny. She warns that such laws are not just anti-Christian, but anti-democratic, and urges voters to support candidates who will repeal them.
Dave and Thea also discuss the media’s attempts to discredit her candidacy by mocking her belief in divine healing. Rather than retreat, Thea stands firm, unashamed of her faith and committed to representing truth in the public sphere. Her courage is a rallying cry for Christians to stop playing it safe and start speaking up.
The episode is rich with practical advice: get educated, expect inconvenience, attend peaceful protests, join school boards and political parties, and most importantly, show up. The left has marched through our institutions with strategic persistence. Now it’s time for Christians to do the same—not to dominate, but to restore righteousness, justice, and mercy in our governance.
This is not a call to comfort, but to conviction. As Dave reminds us, “God doesn’t care whether we have a democracy or not. He cares whether we have justice.” And in a democracy, justice depends on who turns up. If Christians stay silent, the enemies of truth will write the laws and shape the culture.
This episode is a must-watch for anyone who believes Australia is worth saving. It’s a wake-up call, a challenge, and an invitation to be part of the solution. Visit ChristiansVote.com.au to register for the upcoming Church and State Adelaide conference and be equipped to vote like a Christian. Watch the full episode now and discover how you can help save Australia.
👉 Watch now, and share this with a friend who needs courage for the days ahead.
The Church And State Show, recorded 01OCT25, hosted by Dave Pellowe with special guest Thea Hennessey. To be part of the live online audience during recording, subscribe now at DavePellowe.com/follow.
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Dave Pellowe is a Christian political educator & writer who gives priority of philosophy to God’s Word. He founded Church And State ministries in 2016, which has grown to include annual teaching conferences in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and regional Australia by invitation.
Specialising in what God says about complex ethical and social issues, Dave Pellowe is a sought after guest speaker at churches, Christian schools, TV, radio and podcast interviews and other secular and Christian forums where love of Truth and nonpartisan thinking are valued. [more]
